Devotees Throng Pagodas, Temples and Monasteries across the Country on the First Day of Myanmar New Year

On 17 April, pagodas, temples and monasteries across the country were crowded with Buddhist devotees who keep Sabbath, provide personal hygiene to elders, pay respect to elders, perform meritorious deeds by sparing lives and donating foods (Studitha). In this regard:

• The eminent pagodas, stupas and temples in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area were crowded with Buddhist people who keep Sabbath and serve foods for all comers. Moreover, individuals, families and groups released birds and fingerlings traditionally.
• Fish releasing ceremony or Jivita Dana (Setting free of animals) took place at Shin Upagutta Lake in Singuttara Park on the Shwedagon pagoda’s lower terrace of northern entrance. At the event, 1,000 multicolour rohu fingerlings were released into the lake on the occasion of Myanmar New Year.
• At the fish and birds releasing ceremony organized by Yangon Region Government, 200,000 saffron rohu fingerlings, 1,000 birds and 35 doves were released.
• Pagodas, stupas and temples were also packed with the pilgrims. Likewise, the people donated foods to the members of Sangha in alms round procession in respective wards of Mandalay, also crowding with devotees who kept Sabbath and released fingerlings.

In the evening, the Buddhist people invited members of Sangha and then they recited Parittas at the religious halls of respective wards and chanted religious verses (Anantarika Kamawar) on the road-junctions, aiming to be free from evils and to come good things in Myanmar New Year.

Source: MWD (18-4-2023)

• Pagodas, temples and monasteries across the country were crowded with Buddhist devotees who keep Sabbath, provide personal hygiene to elders, pay respect to elders, perform meritorious deeds by sparing lives and donating foods (Studitha).
• In the evening, Buddhist people listened to the Parittas and religious verses recited by members of Sangha at the religious halls, and on the road-junctions in respective wards.